U.S. patent number 6,499,704 [Application Number 09/478,281] was granted by the patent office on 2002-12-31 for polestand apparatus for mounting electronic devices.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Innovative Office Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Odd N. Oddsen, Jr..
United States Patent |
6,499,704 |
Oddsen, Jr. |
December 31, 2002 |
Polestand apparatus for mounting electronic devices
Abstract
A polestand that supports and elevates peripheral devices such
as electronic flat screen computer monitors. The polestand has
either a base, a pole, and a collar or a pole, which can be
vertically secured, and a collar. The collar has a support mount
that accommodates components including a moveable extension arm and
a tilter which are attached to the peripheral device. The polestand
is balanced in such a way as to prevent or minimize the risk of
tipping.
Inventors: |
Oddsen, Jr.; Odd N. (Easton,
PA) |
Assignee: |
Innovative Office Products,
Inc. (Easton, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
26834914 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/478,281 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/125.1;
248/122.1; 248/295.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
81/061 (20130101); F16M 11/22 (20130101); F16M
2200/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
81/06 (20060101); A47B 81/00 (20060101); F16M
11/00 (20060101); A47F 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/121,122.1,125.1,125.3,407,411,413,298.1,295.11,229.1,229.2,315,519,218.4
;403/359.6,383 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Braun; Leslie A.
Assistant Examiner: Baxter; Gwendolyn
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz
& Mentlik, LLP
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
60/137,087, filed Jun. 2, 1999.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A polestand apparatus for supporting a device, said polestand
apparatus comprising: a pole having a longitudinally disposed first
key mating region and an end region; a collar comprising a body
having formed therein a pole opening and a support mount comprising
a support opening arranged adjacent said pole opening, said collar
having a surface that defines said pole opening and that has a
second key mating region disposed therein, said second key mating
region configured to engage said first key mating region of said
pole so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said support
opening of said support mount configured to receive said device to
be supported, said pole opening including a first vertical axis and
said support opening including a second vertical axis arranged
parallel to said first axis, wherein said pole opening and said
support opening are separated by a portion of said body forming
said collar; and a base having a seat configured to secure said end
region of said pole, said seat having a third key mating region
configured to engage said first key mating region of said pole so
as to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first, second
and third key mating regions are configured so that said support
mount of said collar is disposed in a region extending vertically
above said base.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first, second
and third key mating regions are configured so that a vertical
centerline of said support mount is aligned with a vertical
centerline of said base.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first, second
and third key mating regions are configured so that a center of
gravity of said device is aligned with a vertical centerline of
said base.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first key
mating region is a keyway and said second and third key mating
regions are keys.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first key
mating region is a key and said second and third key mating regions
are keyways.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collar is
longitudinally slidable along said pole relative to said pole
opening.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first key
mating region is longitudinally disposed along the entire length of
said pole.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first key
mating region is longitudinally disposed along a length of said
pole which is smaller than the entire length of said pole.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said polestand
further comprises an extender which slidingly engages said
pole.
11. The apparatus according to claims 10, further comprising a
second pole, said second pole slidingly engaging said extender.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seat has a
hole for receiving a screw that engages said end region of said
pole so as to detachably secure said pole to said base.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first key
mating region and said second key mating region are configured to
permit lateral movement of said collar when said collar is engaged
on said pole.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said lateral
movement is a predetermined arc, said lateral movement being no
greater than 45 degrees.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said lateral
movement is in a predetermined arc, said lateral movement being no
greater than 30 degrees.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first key
mating region is a keyway and said second and third key mating
regions are keys.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first key
mating region further has a collar region and a base region, said
base region engaging said base and said collar region engaging said
collar, said collar region being wider than said base region and
said collar region being wider than said second key mating
region.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first key
mating region is a key and said second and third key mating regions
are keyways.
19. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least
one additional collar, wherein said collar and said at least one
additional collar are located vertically above one another on said
pole.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pole further includes a
cable management system.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pole further includes an
opening formed therein and a cover removably attachable to said
opening.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said opening is formed on a
side of said pole that faces said support mount of said collar.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said opening runs
longitudinally along at least a portion of said pole.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said pole further includes a
support member located therein.
25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pole further includes a
groove formed in said end region of said pole.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a support shaft
inserted into said end region of said pole.
27. A polestand for supporting a device, said polestand comprising:
a pole having a longitudinally disposed first key mating region; a
pole securing means configured to secure said pole in a vertical
manner; and a collar comprising a body having formed therein a pole
opening and a support mount comprising a support opening arranged
adjacent said pole opening, said collar having a surface that
defines said pole opening and that has a second key mating region
disposed therein, said second key mating region configured to
engage said first key mating region of said pole so as to prevent
relative rotation therebetween, said support opening of said
support mount configured to receive said device to be supported,
said pole opening including a first vertical axis and said support
opening including a second vertical axis arranged parallel to said
first axis, wherein said pole opening and said support opening are
separated by a portion of said body forming said collar.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said pole further includes a
cable management system.
29. A polestand system for supporting a device, said polestand
system comprising: a pole having a longitudinally disposed first
key mating region and an end region; a collar comprising a body
having formed therein a pole opening and a support mount comprising
a support opening arranged adjacent said pole opening, said pole
opening including a first vertical axis and said support opening
including a second vertical axis arranged parallel to said first
axis, wherein said pole opening and said support opening are
separated by a portion of said body forming said collar, said
collar having a surface that defines said pole opening and that has
a second key mating region disposed thereon, said second key mating
region configured to engage said first key mating region of said
pole so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said support
opening of said support mount configured to receive said device to
be supported, said collar being slidingly engaged on said pole
while engaging said first mating region and said second mating
region; a base having a seat configured to secure said end region
of said pole, said seat having a third key mating region configured
to engage said first key mating region of said pole so as to
prevent relative rotation therebetween, said pole being secured to
said base by inserting said end region into said seat while
engaging said first mating region with said third mating region; at
least one set screw; and said collar further comprising a first
tapped set screw hole in said pole opening, said at least one set
screw being threaded through said first tapped set screw hole and
abutting said pole so as to prevent vertical and lateral movement
of said collar relative to said pole.
30. The polestand system of claim 29, wherein said collar further
comprises a second tapped set screw hole in said support mount,
said at least one set screw being threaded through said second
tapped set screw hole and abutting said device being supported so
as to prevent vertical and rotational movement of said support
mount relative to said device.
31. The polestand system of claim 29, wherein said seat further
comprises a hole for receiving a screw, said at least one screw
being threaded through said hole and said end region of said pole
so as to detachably secure said pole to said base.
32. A polestand for supporting a device, said polestand comprising:
a first pole having a longitudinally disposed first key mating
region and an end region; a collar having a pole opening and a
support mount, said collar having a surface that defines said pole
opening and that has a second key mating region disposed therein,
said second key mating region configured to engage said first key
mating region of said first pole so as to prevent relative rotation
therebetween, said support mount configured to receive said device
to be supported; a base having a seat configured to secure said end
region of said first pole, said seat having a third key mating
region configured to engage said first key mating region of said
first pole so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween; an
extender which slidingly engages said first pole; and a second pole
slidingly engaging said extender.
33. A polestand for supporting a device, said polestand comprising:
a pole having a longitudinally disposed first key mating region and
an end region having a groove; a support shaft inserted into said
end region of said pole; a collar having a pole opening and a
support mount, said collar having a surface that defines said pole
opening and that has a second key mating region disposed therein,
said second key mating region configured to engage said first key
mating region of said pole so as to prevent relative rotation
therebetween, said support mount configured to receive said device
to be supported; and a base having a seat configured to secure said
end region of said pole, said seat having a third key mating region
configured to engage said first key mating region of said pole so
as to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
34. A polestand system for supporting a device, said polestand
system comprising: a pole having a longitudinally disposed first
key mating region and an end region; a collar having a pole opening
and a support mount, said collar having a surface that defines said
pole opening and that has a second key mating region disposed
thereon, said second key mating region configured to engage said
first key mating region of said pole so as to prevent relative
rotation therebetween, said support mount configured to receive
said device to be supported, said collar being slidingly engaged on
said pole while engaging said first mating region and said second
mating region; a base having a seat configured to secure said end
region of said pole, said seat having a third key mating region
configured to engage said first key mating region of said pole so
as to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said pole being
secured to said base by inserting said end region into said seat
while engaging said first mating region with said third mating
region; at least one set screw; said collar further including a
first tapped set screw hole in said pole opening, said at least one
set screw being threaded through said first tapped set screw hole
and abutting said pole so as to prevent vertical and lateral
movement of said collar relative to said pole, and a second tapped
set screw hole in said support mount, said at least one set screw
being threaded through said second tapped set screw hole adapted to
abut said device so as to prevent vertical and rotational movement
of said support mount relative to said device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a stand for mounting peripheral device,
and more particularly, to a polestand for elevating and supporting
a flat-screen electronic peripheral device, such as a computer
monitor or television.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Adjustable stands for use with electronic or other equipment are
known in the prior art. Such stands are useful when it is required
to elevate a device off a floor, a desk, or other surface, in order
that the device meets eye-level or some other desired height.
Stands also serve to hold cumbersome objects that are not designed
to be placed directly on a surface due to ventilation requirements
or other concerns.
In conjunction with stands, it is known in the art to also provide
mechanical extension arms and/or tilters in order to position the
supported equipment. Typically, an extension arm is attached to the
stand and may then be attached to, among other things, a computer
monitor. The arm enables the user to linearly position the device
along one or more axes. Such extension arms are shown and described
in Applicant's co-pending patent applications': "An Arm Apparatus
for Mounting Electronic Devices", filed on Sep. 24, 1999 and
assigned Application No. 09/405,628, which claimed priority of the
Provisional Application No. 60/133,378, filed on May 10, 1999, and
"Arm Apparatus for Mounting Electronic Devices with Cable
Management System" filed on Sep. 24, 1999 and assigned Application
No. 09/406,006, which claimed the priority of the Provisional
Application No. 60/138,120 filed on Jun. 7, 1999. These co-pending
applications are incorporated by reference herein as fully as if
they were set forth in their entirety.
In order that a device may be positioned with even greater
precision, a tilter is typically employed that allows a device to
be rotated about one or more axis. The tilter may be attached to
the extension arm previously discussed, or attached directly to the
stand. One such tilter is shown and described in Applicant's
co-pending patent application entitled "A Tilter for Positioning
Electronic Devices", filed on Sep. 27, 1999 and assigned
Application No. 09/406,530, which claimed the priority of the
Provisional Application No. 60/137,088, filed on Jun. 2, 1999. This
co-pending application is incorporated by reference herein as fully
as if it were set forth in its entirety.
In the prior art, when an electronic device such as a computer
monitor or a television was desired to be positioned and/or removed
from the surface of a desk, the device was provided with a
extension arm connected to a stand. The stand was either clamped to
the desk or provided with a heavy base which helped to keep the
device from tipping over.
However, the stands of the prior art are not well suited for use
with flat-screen devices, such as flat-screen computer monitors and
televisions. For instance, one of the reasons that flat-screen
devices are increasing in popularity is due the fact that they
require a minimal amount of space and are relatively lightweight.
Because stands were often meant to support the weight of a large
monitor, they often consisted of the extension arm firmly clamped
to a rigid surface.
A common prior art stand, often provided with monitors, consists of
a base constructed from a sturdy plastic material. A tilter is
often included as part of the base, allowing the monitor to be
rotated and tilted. However, such a stand has many limitations. For
example, in order that it may support relatively large computer
monitors, the base of such a stand must itself be relatively large
and thus requires an abundance of desk space. Furthermore, these
stands typically require that the center of gravity of the monitor
remains directly above the stand. This is necessary to prevent the
weight of the monitor from tipping over the stand. Another problem
with prior art stands is that they cannot be used interchangeably
with various tilters, extension arms, and the like.
Thus, there is a need for a polestand device that is suitable for
supporting an electronic peripheral device, such as a flat-screen
computer monitor or television, and that can accommodate various
extension arms and tilters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a polestand that supports and
elevates peripheral devices. The present invention is further
designed to accommodate electronic flat screen computer monitors
and television screens. It is also capable of operating
interchangeably with extension arms, tilters, and other
devices.
Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, a polestand is
provided having a base, a pole attached to the base, and a collar
which is positionable on the pole. The collar is provided with a
support mount that can receive various components which may in turn
be attached to a peripheral device.
According to other embodiments of the invention, a polestand is
provided having a pole secured in a vertical manner, and a collar
which is positionable on the pole. The collar is provided with a
support mount that can receive various components which may in turn
be attached to a peripheral device. The polestand also may have
more than one collar.
The above descriptions set forth rather broadly the more important
features of the present invention in order that the detailed
descriptions thereof that follow may be understood, and in order
that the present contributions to the art may be better
appreciated. Other objects and features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to
be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for
the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits
of the invention, for which reference should be made to the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings in which like reference characters denote similar
elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a polestand having a base, a pole,
and a collar according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2a is a side view of the base illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2b is a bottom view of the base illustrated in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3a is side view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 1 according to
one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3b is a sectional view through line A--A of the pole
illustrated in FIG. 3a according to one embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 3c is a rear view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 3a according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3d is a side view of a second pole attached to the pole
illustrated in FIG. 3a according to one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 3e is a top view of the second pole illustrated in FIG. 3d
according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4a is aside view of the collar illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4b is top view of the collar illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4c is a front view of the collar illustrated in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5a is a top view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5b is an enlargement of the section B of the pole illustrated
in FIG. 5a;
FIG. 6a is a top view of the collar illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6b is an enlargement of the section C of the collar
illustrated in FIG. 6a;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 1 according
to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a polestand having a pole and a
collar according to one embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pole illustrated in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relates
to a polestand 10, illustrated in FIG. 1, capable of supporting a
peripheral device, such as a flat-screen computer monitor,
television, other electronic device or the like. The polestand 10
is configured so that it may be used in conjunction with an arm
apparatus and/or a tilter as described in Applicant's previously
referenced co-pending applications. As shown in FIG. 1, the
polestand 10 is comprised of a base 20, a pole 40, and a collar 60.
These components allow a computer monitor to be supported at an
adjustable distance from a surface.
With additional reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the base 20 is now
described in more detail according to one embodiment of the
invention. The base 20 is a block-shaped object having a hollow
interior portion and a rectangular profile when viewed from below
(FIG. 2b). In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2a, the top
surface of the base 20 is curved from a front portion 32 to a rear
portion 34. Thus, the thickness of the base 20 is relatively small
at the front and rear portion 32, 34 and increases towards a center
area 35. Such a shape is aesthetically pleasing and, importantly,
is minimally obtrusive, allowing a monitor to be positioned near
the surface on which the base 20 is located. A covering for the
underside may be supplied but is not required. In order to provide
stable support for an electronic device, the base 20 is preferably
fabricated from a metal such as steel or aluminum, or from
plastic.
Beginning at the center area 35, a boss 23 protrudes from the
curved surface of the base 20 and extends to the rear portion 34
providing a flat surface. Within the boss 23 is a seat 22, such as
an o-shaped seat, which has a key mating region 26, referred to as
a third key mating region, disposed longitudinally along its
surface. The third key mating region 26 may take the form of a key
or a keyway and may have any appropriate cross-section including,
but not limited to, one which is rectangular or triangular. At the
center of the seat 22, is an opening or a hole 24 that communicates
between the interior and exterior surface of the seat 22. As
discussed in more detail below, the third key mating region 26
prevents the pole 40 from rotating in the seat 22, and the hole 24
aids in securing the pole 40 to the base 20.
Now specifically considering FIG. 2b, other features of the base 20
may be shown. In order to stiffen the base 20, additional material
38 is disposed in each corner 36. A shallow circular depression 39
is disposed in each area of additional material 38 to receive feet
(not shown) fabricated from rubber or other appropriate material.
Such feet help to prevent the base 20 from inadvertently being
moved. In one embodiment of the invention, a weighted object (not
shown), such as a relatively heavy piece of metal is secured to the
hollow underside of the base 20 so as to permit the base 20 to be
fabricated from a lighter, less costly material such as rigid
plastic.
With continued reference to FIG. 1 and now turning to FIGS. 3a and
3b, the pole 40 is now described in more detail. The pole 40 is a
hollow, cylindrical object which is preferably fabricated from a
rigid metal such as zinc. Because the pole 40 is hollow, less
material is used in its manufacture. In the preferred embodiment,
the pole 40 has an outer diameter in the range of 11/2 inches, a
thickness of 1/10 inch, and a length of 12 inches. However, it is
understood that the pole 40 may take on other appropriate
dimensions.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3a, a key mating
region 42, referred to as a first key mating region, is disposed
longitudinally along the entire length of the pole 40. However, in
other embodiments, the first key mating region 42 may only extend
part of the length of the pole 40. The first key mating region 42
may take the form of a key or a keyway and may have any appropriate
cross-section including, but not limited to, one which is
rectangular or triangular. However, the first key mating region 42
must have a shape which allows it to engage the third key mating
region 26 of the base 20. The first key mating region 42 may be
machined into the pole 40 provided that the pole 40 has an
appropriate thickness. Alternatively, the first key mating region
42 may be part of an extrusion that creates the pole 40.
In one embodiment, an extender 44 is provided that slides within
the pole 40. The extender 44 preferably has a rectangular cross
section and is about half the length of the pole 40. The dimensions
of the cross section are dictated by the inner diameter of the pole
40 and the first key mating region 42. It is preferred that the
extender 44, while capable of sliding in and out of the pole 40,
fits securely and is not rotatable within the pole 40. The extender
44 is secured relative to the pole 40 (so as to prevent movement
after it is placed in a desired position) by a set screw (not
shown) or by any such means now known or later conceived. The
extender 44 provides additional adjustability to devices mounted
thereon.
A second pole 40a, as shown in FIG. 3d, may be slidingly inserted
over the extended portion of the extender 44. Preferably, the
second pole 40a will possess the same diameter and thickness as the
pole 40, thereby enabling the second pole 40a to rest on top of the
pole 40. Alternatively, the second pole 40a may contain an enclosed
top end 46a, shown in FIG. 3e, which may rest on top of the
extender 44. The second pole 40a also may be attached to the pole
40 and/or the extender 44 by other means currently known in the art
or later conceived. The second pole 40a further will have a key
mating region 42c, referred to as a fourth key mating region.
Preferably, the fourth key mating region 42c will have the same
dimensions as the first key mating region 42 of the pole 40, in
conjunction with which the second pole 40a is used. The enclosed
top end 46a will include either a notch 49a or an extrusion
corresponding to the shape of the fourth key mating region 42c.
As shown in FIG. 3c, at one end of the pole 40, a cap 46, such as a
disc-shaped cap, may be provided having a tapped hole 48 and a
notch 49 corresponding to the first key mating region 42. The cap
46 may be spot welded to the end of the pole 40 or otherwise
appropriately affixed. As explained immediately below, the cap 46
serves as an end region of the pole 40 and aids in securing the
pole 40 to the base 20.
The pole 40 is inserted into the seat 22 of the base 20 such that
the first key mating region 42 engages the third key mating region
26. The engagement between the third and the first key mating
regions 26, 42 prevents the pole 40 from rotating within the seat
22. A threaded fastener (not shown) is now inserted through the
hole 24 of the base 20 and is screwed into the tapped hole 48 of
the cap 46 leaving the pole 40 securely attached to the base
20.
With continued reference to FIG. 1 and with further reference to
FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c, the collar 60 is described in more detail.
Preferably, the collar 60 is fabricated from a one inch thick piece
of relatively stiff, relatively lightweight metal and is shaped to
accommodate a pole opening 64 and a support mount 62. Because the
pole opening 64 and the support mount 62 both are incorporated in a
single collar 60, brackets and the like are not needed to support
the device on the polestand 10.
The pole opening 64 is circular in shape and has a diameter which
is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pole 40. A key
mating region 66, referred to as a second key mating region, is
disposed longitudinally along the pole opening 64. The second key
mating region 66 may take the form of a key or a keyway and may
have any appropriate cross-section including, but not limited to,
one which is rectangular or triangular. However, the second key
mating region 66 must take on a shape which allows it to engage the
first key mating region 42 of the pole 40. Thus, the collar 60 is
placed over the pole 40 via the pole opening 64, wherein the
engagement of the first and the second key mating regions 42, 66
prevents the collar 60 from rotating about the pole 40. A first
tapped set screw hole 67 is preferably disposed at an angle of 90
degrees from the position of the second key mating region 66. After
the collar 60 is placed on the pole 40, a set screw (not shown) may
be screwed into the first tapped set screw hole 67 and forced
against the pole 40, preventing vertical movement of the collar 60
relative to the pole 40. If a second pole 40a has been attached to
the pole 40, the collar 60 can be attached to the second pole 40a
in the same manner in which collar 60 can be attached to the pole
40. When the collar 60 is attached to the second pole 40a, the
second key mating region 66 engages the fourth key mating region
42c.
According to one embodiment, the support mount 62 is a circular
opening capable of receiving the device (not shown) to be
supported. Preferably, the device includes a shaft which is a part
of the tilter or the extension arm described in Applicant's
previously referenced co-pending applications. A second tapped set
screw hole 68 is preferably disposed at a position that directly
opposes the second key mating region 66 of the pole opening 64. A
set screw (not shown) may be screwed into hole 68 and forced
against the aforementioned shaft, helping to prevent both lateral
rotation and vertical movement of the tilter or extension arm.
In one embodiment, the key mating regions 26, 42, and 66 are
configured so that the support mount 62 is disposed in a region
extending vertically above the base 20. Alternatively, in another
embodiment, the configuration is such that the vertical centerline
of the support mount 62 is aligned with the vertical centerline of
the base 20. In yet another embodiment, the configuration is such
that the center of gravity of the supported device is aligned with
the vertical centerline of the base 20. The placement of the
support mount 62 determines the stability of polestand 10 and thus
is an important factor in the overall design of the polestand
10.
It is to be understood that prevention of vertical movement of the
collar 60 relative to the pole 40 can be accomplished by other
fixing means (not shown). The other fixing means can include, but
are not limited to, tabs and the like projecting from the pole 40.
Other fixing means can include increasing the diameter of the pole
40 from top to bottom, so that a slight cone shape is accomplished,
thereby creating a snug fit when the diameter of the pole opening
64 coincides with the diameter of the pole 40. Thus, various
collars 60 having varying pole opening diameters could be fixed at
various heights along the pole 40 corresponding to the increasing
diameter of the pole 40.
In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, the
first key mating region 42, of the pole 40, may be configured to
permit lateral movement of the corresponding second key mating
region 66, of the collar 60, about the first key mating region 42.
This is accomplished by providing a keyway that is wider than the
corresponding key, thereby allowing lateral movement of the key
within the keyway. In FIG. 5a, the first key mating region 42 is
illustrated in the form of a keyway, and the second key mating
region 66 is in the form of a key. The first key mating region 42,
of the pole 40, is wider than the second key mating region 66, of
the collar 60.
As shown in FIG. 5b, the second key mating region 66 in the form of
a key is capable of rotating 15 degrees from a center axis 74.
Because the second key mating region 66 can rotate 15 degrees from
the center axis 74 in two directions from the center axis 74, the
total range of lateral movement is 30 degrees.
FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an embodiment in which the second key
mating region 66, of the collar 60, is wider than the first key
mating region 42, of the pole 40. In this embodiment, the second
key mating region 66 is in the form of a keyway, and the first key
mating region 42 is in the form of a key. FIG. 6b illustrates a 30
degree range of lateral movement of the collar 60, which is created
by providing a 15 degree range of motion in two directions from a
center axis 74.
These embodiments permit the collar 60 to be rotated about the pole
40 within a predetermined arc. Preferably, the key mating regions
42, 66 are configured to permit rotation of the collar 60 of
between 30 and 45 degrees, more preferably between 15 and 30
degrees. By permitting partial rotation rather than requiring the
collar 60 to be in a fixed position, the peripheral device that is
attached to the collar 60 may also be placed in a range of
positions about the pole 40. It is important however that the arc
of rotation not extend too far from the center of the first key
mating region 42 so that the weight of the peripheral device does
not cause the pole stand 10 to topple. Once the desired vertical
and rotational positions on the pole 40 have been determined, a set
screw (not shown) in the first tapped set screw hole 67 of the
collar 60 may be tightened against the pole 40 to prevent further
movement of the collar 60.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 5a and 5b, and now turning to
FIG. 7, the pole 40 is described in more detail. In this
embodiment, the first key mating region 42 is in the form of a
keyway. The first key mating region 42 includes a collar region 42b
and a base region 42a wherein the collar region 42b is wider than
the base region 42a. The wider collar region 42b enables the collar
60 to rotate, as described in detail in reference to FIGS. 5a and
5b. At the same time, the narrower base region 42a enables the base
region 42a to engage the third key mating region 26 of the base 20
in a fixed manner.
Another embodiment of the polestand 10 is illustrated in FIG. 8,
which is a perspective view of a polestand 70 having only a pole 40
and a collar 60. In this embodiment, the pole 40 and the collar 60
interact and function in all of the ways previously described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 7. However, in this embodiment, the
pole 40 need not be vertically held in place by a base. Rather, the
pole 40 may be vertically held in place by any number of securing
means now known in the art or later conceived. By way of example,
the pole 40 could be secured in a circular depression (not shown)
in a surface, which could be in a desktop, floor, or the like. In
addition, it is possible that the pole 40 could be vertically held
in place by brackets (not shown) attached to both the pole 40 and a
surface. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the securing means for
the polestand 70 is discretionary.
It is further to be understood that the number of collars 60 that
can be attached to the pole 40 and/or the second pole 40a in either
the polestand 10 or the polestand 70 is discretionary. Provided the
polestand 10, 70 is of sufficient strength and size, at least one
additional collar (not shown) along with the collar 60 can be
attached to the pole 40 and/or the second pole 40a, with the collar
60 and each additional collar (not shown) being located vertically
above one another on the pole 40 and/or the second pole 40a.
Another embodiment of the polestand 10 or the polestand 70, as
illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a cable management system designed
therein. That is, the pole 40 can house cables to and from the
devices therewithin so as to be hidden from view yet still easily
accessible. In this embodiment, the pole 40 includes an opening 50
formed therein. As illustrated, the opening 50 extends
longitudinally along the entire length of the pole 40. However, as
one skilled in the art would know the opening 50 may be formed
having various lengths and configurations. For example, the length
of the opening 50 may extend through only a small portion of the
pole 40, through several separate and distinct portions of the pole
40, or through a majority of the pole 40. Likewise, the
configuration of the opening 50 may have a cross section that is
rectangular, oval or some other shape. The opening 50 may be formed
in the pole 40 by, for example cutting the opening 50 therein, or
the pole 40 may be formed with the opening 50 formed therein. The
purpose of the opening 50 is to allow cables to travel through the
pole 40, thus hidden from view, and exit the pole 40 at the
appropriate location or locations to connect to the device or the
devices mounted thereto. Thus, the configuration selected depends
on the number of devices and corresponding collars 60 that are to
be connected to the pole 40. The pole 40 also includes a cover 52
that is removably connected to the opening 50, so as to hide the
cables therewithin while still providing easy access thereto.
The opening 50 is preferably on a side of the pole 40 that faces
the front of the base 20 (for polestand 10) and the support mount
62 of the collar 60. The opening 50 may weaken the pole 40,
especially if the opening 50 extends over a large portion the pole
40. Thus, to compensate for the weakening of the pole 40, a support
member 54 is provided within the pole 40. The support member 54 as
illustrated is a plate that extends through the center of the pole
40. However, one skilled in the art would realize that the support
member 54 could take on multiple sizes, shapes and configurations
without departing from the scope of the current invention.
Another embodiment of the polestand 10 or 70 with cable management,
as illustrated in FIG. 9, includes a groove 56 formed in an
opposite side of the pole from the opening 50. The groove 56 is
formed adjacent to the end of the pole 40 the connects to the base
20 (for polestand 10) or the mounting surface (for polestand 70).
The groove 56 starts at the edge of the pole 40 and extends
laterally from the edge. The groove 56 is large enough to allow a
cable to fit therethrough. Thus, in this configuration the cable
can enter the pole 40 from behind the polestand 10 or 70, travel
through the pole 40, and exit the front of the pole 40 at a
position where a device is mounted to the collar 60. The groove 56
may weaken the end of the pole 40, so one embodiment includes
extending the groove 56 by the thickness of a support shaft 58 and
placing the support shaft 58 within the end of the pole 40 to
provide support for the pole 40.
It is possible for one embodiment to include the groove being
located where the first key mating region 42 would interact with
the third key mating region 26. In this embodiment, the first key
mating region 42 would not be located at the end of the pole. Thus,
a fifth key mating region 59 would need to be formed in the support
shaft 58, and the support shaft 58 would be inserted in to the pole
40 so that the fifth key mating region 59 was aligned with the
third key mating region 26 and the groove 56. It should be noted
that the cable needs to be inserted through the groove 56 prior to
the support shaft 58 being inserted.
Having described the construction of the polestand 10 above, a
polestand system and a description of its operation may now be
provided. For ease of packaging, the polestand 10 will likely be
provided to a user in an unassembled fashion. The user would simply
attach the pole 40 to the base 20 as described above. The collar 60
is then placed on the pole 40 and positioned at the desired height
and held in place by a set screw, which is threaded through first
tapped set screw hole 67. The device being supported, such as a
flat screen computer monitor, which may have been affixed to a
tilter, may now be attached to the polestand 10 by engaging the
shaft of the tilter with the support mount 62 of the collar 60. A
set screw may be threaded through hole 68 and forced against the
shaft to prevent lateral and vertical movement of the shaft.
Alternatively, an extension arm may first be attached to the
polestand 10, via the support mount 62, and a tilter and monitor
may then be affixed to an opposite end of the extension arm.
Additional components may be utilized between the polestand 10 and
the supported electronic device. It should also be noted that
objects other than electronic devices, such as medical equipment,
may be used in conjunction with the polestand 10.
The polestand 70 is assembled similarly to the assembly of the
polestand 10. However, the polestand 70 does not have the base 20.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the pole 40 may be secured in a
vertical manner by any means currently known in the art or later
conceived.
Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to
alternative embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various
omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of
the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the
intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope
of the claims appended hereto. It is to be understood that the
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are
merely conceptual in nature.
* * * * *